Third Party Watch

This is a relatively unflattering article on a Libertarian perennial candidate who finally got elected to something. It’s my feeling that these types of personalities actually turn off most people from involving themselves in a party and help to keep the LP (and other parties) marginalized.

It’s really unfortunately since he’s probably a nice [...]

As was also reported in Ballot Access News, it looks like the Labor Party has decided to actually involve itself in the world of real electoral politics. The decade-old party has never sought to qualify itself or run candidates in any state up to this point. It now appears that will change [...]

Libertarian Party Chief of Staff Shane Corey sent out the following message to the party’s email list:

Dear Friends,

I hope you enjoyed the Christmas holiday and have great plans for your New Year’s celebration. Despite the holiday week, LPHQ has been buzzing with activity.

Last week’s chat with LNC Chair Michael Dixon was a success with [...]

It looks like both the Greens and Libertarians could see contested fights at their state conventions for their respective gubernatorial nominations.

From The News-Review:

The drama over who will capture the Republican and Democratic nominations for governor in Oregon may grab most of the headlines, but the state’s two biggest minor parties have their own meaty subplots.

Both [...]

So, with the end of the year only a few days away… what events in the world of third party politics do you think qualify as the most notable of 2005? Successes, disappointments, surprises… you name it.

I’d like to compile a “top 10” list of stories for this year based on the feedback I [...]

I saw this link posted on LP.org last week and I wasn’t immediately sure if I liked it or not.

The current site somehow feels more inviting to me. The new one is a little overly “flashy” and the name of the party doesn’t have the strong look that I would think they’d want.

I’m sure [...]

Between now and the first of next year (only SIX days) I’ve lowered the price on all the advertising spots on this site.

You can now get a 3-month premium spot ad for $30, down from $50! Or a 3-month regular ad for only $20. And if you don’t need a full 3-months [...]

I just wanted to wish a very Merry Christmas to all of our readers!

Third Party Watch will return with new updates on Monday or Tuesday, until then feel free to kill some time on our message boards.

The Libertarian Party held a chat on their website yesterday with LNC Chairman Michael Dixon. The transcript can be found by clicking here.

This seems like it could be a really interesting internal communication tool to help keep everyone on the same page. I only caught the tail end in person, but it seemed [...]

Ballot Access News has a report on a poll from next year’s potential re-match between Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman and former Senator (and Governor) Lowell Weicker. Even though Lieberman leads by more than 15 points, it’s still not a bad place for Weicker (a guy who hasn’t been in the political spotlight for [...]

Looks like voter registration for the Arizona Democrats and Republicans fell in October, but it rose substantially for the Libertarians.

The story from PHXNews.com:

Arizona Secretary of State Jan Brewer released today the voter registration figures for the State of Arizona as of 1 November 2005. The November 1 numbers are compiled pursuant to A.R.S. § 16-804 [...]

Progressive Party state representative David Zuckerman continues to consider a bid for the U.S. Congressional seat being vacated by Bernie Sanders. As a way of testing the waters and drawing some early publicity, Zuckerman’s exploratory effort has launched a new radio advertisement.

The Press Release follows:

Rep. David Zuckerman took the airwaves today with an inagural [...]

Great news for Third Party Watch!

We were fortunate enough to be awarded the Politics1.com Site of the Day award today. This is very exciting as it will likely bring several hundred new visitors to our site who might never have stopped by before.

So, to all of the new visitors I invite you to take [...]

Has anyoned received their copy of LP News for December yet? I had placed a small ad for TPW in there and I was wondering how it looked… but I haven’t gotten my copy yet.

Also, if any of you are monthly pledgers… was our interview with Shane Cory republished in the monthly pledge newsletter? [...]

This is a decent little article that details some of the similarities of differences between the Friedman and Ventura campaigns. Taken from the Austin American-Statesman:

To gauge Texas writer-singer Kinky Friedman’s starting-gun strategy running for governor as an independent, look north 1,000 miles and flash back to 1998 (just before the U.S. House approved [...]

According to Politics1.com, Maine state representative Barbara Merrill (Democrat) is seriously considering a gubernatorial bid as either a Democrat or an independent.

This could create a problem for Green Party candidate Pat LaMarche who seemed poised to potentially win the support of 10% or more of that state’s voters.

From Politics1.com:

According to the Bangor Daily News, Governor [...]

The Green Party of the United States is blasted in this editorial published in the Jerusalem Post:

One would expect the United States Green Party to be at the forefront of addressing environmental degradation in America and abroad. But rather than focusing on this important work, the Green Party has made a clumsy and harmful foray [...]

Next year’s race for Texas governor keeps getting more and more interesting.

To start with we have an independent candidate (Kinky Friedman) who has regularly polled near and even above the 20% mark… but first he must get on the ballot by navigating an expensive and difficult ballot access situation.

Now there’s talk that the major Republican [...]

Everyone pretty much knew this was the case, but now it’s official. Pat LaMarche is running for governor of Maine next year.

As the article notes, LaMarche was a candidate for governor in 1998 and captured 7% of the vote. What they failed to mention is that 1998 was the year that independent governor [...]

Radio industry publication FMQB has reposted an article from the 1994 Libertarian gubernatorial campaign of shock jock Howard Stern. The piece contains several photos from that year’s state LP convention.

At the convention itself, one observer called the affair a “hostile takeover” that appalled most of the party, referring to Stern’s followers as groupies. [...]

We’ve mentioned this race once or twice in the past, but here’s a quick update on Scott Bludorn’s GOP campaign for state house, from the Chicago Tribune:

The last time state Rep. Sidney Mathias and Scott Bludorn were pitted against each other in an election, Bludorn was a Libertarian and accused his opponent of being a [...]

Looks like the Oregon Greens have a contest on their hands. I think this is actually a great thing for minor parties as it helps candidates sharpen their skills and build their campaigns earlier, and it brings free media attention as well!

[CORRECTION: As noted by Richard Winger of Ballot Access News, we incorrectly [...]

Sadly, the publisher of Liberty magazine has passed away. Taken from today’s issue of the Seattle Times:

Shortly before his death, William (R.W.) Bradford sent an e-mail to friends, suggesting a headline for his obituary: Bradford dies! Liberty survives!

Liberty is the magazine Mr. Bradford founded in 1987 to explore libertarianism, the political philosophy that favors [...]

This is a great article from the Toronto Star that lays out the “how and why” of increased third party activity in Canada. It basically boils down to a court ruling that made it much easier to create and sustain a federal party… and the Canadian system of public funding. Well worth reading [...]

>> Ballot Access News reports that the Libertarian Party’s ballot access fund is now virtually out of debt.

>> Over on Liberty for Sale, Tim West discusses changing the way Libertarian conventions are held and nominees are selected.

>> The Hammer of Truth has some interesting tidbits on Badnarik’s Congressional campaign and the 2008 Presidential race.